The Orange Spotlight

Ghost of Breath by Howie Good (Bedouin Books, Oct. 2009)

It has been five years since Bedouin Books has added an installment to their Pamphlet Poets Series. As I held this well-crafted little book in my hands many questions came to mind. Why did they wait so long? What was it about Howie Good's work that prompted them to revived the series that had previously only had one release? Is it their intent to only release a title year five years? Well, the answer to the last question was easily answered. As I flip to the back of the book a note declares that a third title is coming soon from Audri Sonsa. So, back to my question, why Howie Good?

Ghosts of Breath is a collection of moments that to most my seem ordinary, but when filtered through the pen of Howie Good become these mysterious and magnified events. The pamphlet is broken up into two sections, and in the first he deals with death. What is interesting is many different points of view that Howie uses to approach this topic. He channels the soldier, the husband, the father,and even a higher power, and all in the matter of 10 poems. In the second section he tackles life, the commonplace with a twist. He sums it up in the poem "Elegy for the Newborn", "Everything simple has become complex". Howie shows how messy life can be, but adds an extra sense of drama and theatrics to the mix. It makes for a fun read that can be devoured with your morning cup of coffee.

If you are looking for a nicely crafted pocket book that will add a little adventure to your day check our Howie Good's installment to the Pamphlet Poet Series from Bedouin Books.